SDSU Students Vote on Recreation Center

San Diego State students will vote today through Thursday on a proposed 8,500-seat on-campus recreation center, which could ultimately house Aztec athletic teams.

The referendum came about after almost 5,000 students signed a petition last year concerning inadequate recreational facilities on campus.

“Our facilities are chronically overcrowded,” said Bill Earley, Associated Students president. “When you have intramurals scheduled until midnight, it’s unreasonable. Basically, we’ve had the same facilities since 1960. Since that time, enrollment has doubled at this university. Something has to give.”

SDSU’s current recreational facilities are Peterson Gym, built in 1961, and the Women’s Gym, built in the 1930s. Peterson Gym is used as a practice facility for the men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball teams.

The men’s basketball team plays home games at the Sports Arena, while the others play at Peterson Gym. At one time, the men’s basketball team also played on campus.

The Women’s Gym is used primarily for intramurals and other student recreation programs.

If approved by a majority vote of students, the $20-million facility would be financed by an increase of no more than $35 in student fees with bonds to be retired over a 25- to 30-year period after the facility opens. Students paying fees before the center opened would receive one semester of facility use for each semester they paid fees. Though architectural designs would not be made until after the proposition passes, it is estimated the facility would open between 1988 and 1991.

A similar proposal was defeated in 1981 by nearly a 2-to-1 margin, primarily because students feared athletics would receive first priority on the building. The current proposal would give athletics third priority behind student recreation and student-sponsored events such as concerts and lectures. Intercollegiate athletic teams would rent the facility from the student body.

“We’re interested observers,” said Bill Finley, assistant athletic director in charge of public relations. “If the students decide to build an activities center, athletics would certainly be interested in talking about purchasing time for playing games and practicing there. We can’t lose sight of the fact it’s a student proposition paid for by students. They should be able to allot time and use the building in any way they choose.”

Opponents say the recreational facility would not suit the needs of most SDSU students.

“We’re pretty much a commuter school,” said Paul Kennedy, an Associated Students council member. “We have a lot of students who work and are married. I don’t think a majority of students could use the facility. I think students are generally against fee increases. Our fees were increased a couple of years back, and a lot of students complained. I think we should make a point that we don’t want any increases, especially if it’s for athletics instead of education.”

The facility would be built on the site of Aztec Bowl. According to the proposal, an artificial playing field may be constructed on the center’s roof that could be used by the SDSU soccer team, intramural football leagues and marching band.

Smokey Gaines, SDSU’s basketball coach, said he favors building the facility. SDSU and Hawaii are the only Western Athletic Conference schools without a basketball facility in the vicinity of campus.

The Sports Arena is approximately a 10-mile drive from SDSU.

“I just think we could persuade kids it’s easier to walk to games than to go down to the Sports Arena,” Gaines said. “Kids party out here all the time. Maybe they could party before the game and after the game.”

“I think it would be outstanding to have the basketball team back on campus,” Earley said. “We’re trying to increase school spirit among students and alums. It would be a lot more convenient than traveling to the Sports Arena and paying $3 to park.”

It is uncertain whether the teams now playing in Peterson Gym would utilize the new facility.

“If we get the arena, it’ll make a difference,” Gaines said. “Not only will it help basketball, it will help the whole department. Right now, we’re scratching for space. It’s pretty tough when 32,000 students are trying to cram recreation programs in with men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball.”